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Cowboy Casserole Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Bake for Families

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This cowboy casserole is a hearty, family-friendly bake featuring layers of savory ground beef, creamy sauce, sweet corn, gooey cheese, and a crispy tater tot topping. It’s quick to assemble, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred, or substitute ground turkey)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup frozen corn (or canned, drained)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 bag (28 oz) frozen tater tots
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: smoked paprika, green onions, jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until mostly browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is soft and fragrant.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir in the corn. Add the cooked beef mixture and mix until well combined.
  5. Spread the beef and creamy mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese over the beef layer.
  6. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, covering the surface completely.
  7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the tater tots are crisp and golden brown. For extra crunch, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use full-fat sour cream and freshly shredded cheese. Bake tater tots from frozen for maximum crunch. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free cream soup and check tater tot labels. Let the casserole rest before serving for neat slices. Add extra cheese or broil at the end for a crispier topping. Leftovers reheat best in the oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy casserole, tater tot casserole, cheesy casserole, family dinner, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef recipe, freezer meal, potluck, kid friendly

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/cowboy-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-tater-tot-bake-for-families/